Director Geordie Stephens of Tool and agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners recently collaborated for high-speed Internet service provider Comcast on two hilarious :30 spots starring the animated turtle couple, Bill and Karolyn Slowsky. The spots promote the increased speed that Comcast is offering for its Internet connections.

In Upside, Bill, upon reading a bus stop advertisement stating that Comcast is giving its customers twice the Internet speed for no additional charge, “flips” in disbelief, landing on his back, where his worried wife, Karolyn, hovers over him, asking how many fingers she is holding up – on her digit-free flipper.

The second spot, Wagon, opens with Bill standing atop an old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon, explaining to Karolyn, in his best southern drawl, that with Comcast’s increased speed everyone is hopping on the DSL bandwagon. Karolyn, annoyed, tells him to get down, inspiring Bill’s cold retort that she doesn’t like fun, which he follows with a “yee-haw” for all to hear.

About Tool:
Tool of North America is known for its mastery of “very, very short films, with blatant product placement.” The aptly-named production company serves as an implement, enabling directors to discover-and then endlessly rediscover-what they do best. Tool’s talented roster and knack for delivering laugh-out-loud comedy and arresting visual style engenders advertising’s top honors. Well-established in the integrated media arena, Tool serves as a resource for agencies, collaborating with creatives to develop compelling content.

Tool’s directors hail from diverse disciplines, including still photography, Academy Award-winning cinematography, documentary filmmaking, British TV comedy, and top agency creative posts. This diverse pool allows Tool to approach every project with a spirit of handcrafted excellence.

The Creds:
Client: Comcast
Spots Title: Wagon, Upside
Air Date: February 2009

Agency: Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
CD: Chris Ford
Art Director(s): Mark Sikes (Wagon), Meaghan Oikawa (Upside)
Copywriter: Jean Weisman
EP: Tanya LeSieur
Agency Producer: Sabriana Shamma

Prod Company: Tool of North America
Director: Geordie Stephens
EP(s): Brian Latt, Jennifer Siegel

Editorial: Cosmo Street
Editor: Christjan Jordan
Assistant Editor: Luc Giddens
EP: Jerry Sukys

Post/Effects: Brickyard VFX
VFX Artist: Patrick Poulatian
Producer Diana Young

Music: Stimmung

Shoot Location: Tarzana, CA and Van Owen/Van Aldewn Bus Stop, Reseda